PENANG has its fair share of challenges under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang was sort of at the mercy of the Federal Government, as the Federal Government decides how much it would allocate for the states.
“The NIP has seen many U-turns and decisions made. It was a great challenge for the minister involved.
“As for the state, we are sort of at the mercy of the Federal Government as it decides how much it allocates for the states.
“Supposedly, under the principle of equality (in terms of access to vaccine), each state should be given somewhat equal number of vaccines based on its population and severeness of the Covid-19 cases.
“The vaccination programme was accelerated in Greater Klang Valley because of the high number of cases, while in Sarawak, the programme was accelerated because, initially, Sarawak was preparing for the possibility of a state election there. That was why the emphasis had been given to them,” Chow said during the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Northern Branch annual dialogue today.
The annual dialogue, held virtually, attracted about 60 participants.
Chow said that Penang’s percentage of cumulative vaccine doses administered (based on adult population) was very near the national average.
“By Thursday (Aug 19), 40% of our adult population are set to receive Dose Two. And our adult population would have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of September, except for those who have not registered, did not turn up for their appointments, or anti-vaxxers,” he said.
Chow said the state government would continue its 3T strategy (testing, tracing, and treatment) to control the spread of Covid-19 in Penang.
“The Penang Covid-19 mass screening programme (PSC-19) for targeted communities in all 40 state constituencies is set to complete this week,” he said.
Speaking about the Covid-19 cases in Penang, Chow said the central Seberang Perai has the highest number of cases per 100,000 cases.
“Central Seberang Perai and south Seberang Perai recorded over 700 cases per 100,000 cases, northeast district (196), southwest district (377), and north Seberang Perai (494).
“We still have 47 active clusters in Penang, and 36 of them are from the manufacturing sector. Others are from the workplaces, construction sites, prisons, and detention centres.
“There is one area that we are weak at, which is community empowerment. There are many people who are still neglecting compliance to the standard operating procedures (SOPs). They do not take it seriously until they are infected with the disease.
“The Penang Health Department has said that the state’s high number of daily cases (of about 1,000 cases) will last for another two weeks before it can go down,” he said.
Chow said that it was also ironic that more sectors were allowed to reopen despite that country was recording some 20,000 new Covid-19 cases daily.
“In the past, we closed our economy when we hit 200 to 300 daily cases. Now, we are opening our economy when we hit 20,000 cases.
“In Penang, we have to continue to restructure our facilities to increase the capacity of our public healthcare facilities. The latest will be to convert the Caring Society Complex into a centre for Category Three and Four Covid-19 patients.
“The Caring Society Complex is near the Penang Hospital. We will try to get the facility ready in the next two to three weeks,” he said.
The dialogue, themed ‘Navigating the pandemic’, was moderated by InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian.
MICCI Northern Branch chairman Michel Van Crombrugge thanked Chow for taking part in the virtual dialogue.
He also thanked Loo for providing guidance to the panellists.
“Our meeting bears great significance, given the unpredictability of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. Its impact on our socioeconomic status has been beyond any stretch of imagination.
“We are all making every effort to alleviate the impact of the pandemic. Solidarity and initiative are the keys (to success),” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar